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Sunday, 7 June 2015

Estonia
–
Estonia has a population of only 1.5 million people hence it does not have a
very big welfare budget in either relative or absolute terms. However, unlike
most countries, most of the welfare budget of Estonia is administered online.
This keeps the cost low and allows the citizens to apply for all the benefits
in one go, without having to fill out different types of paperwork again and
again. The employers pay 2.8 percent and the workers contribute 1.4 percent of
their salaries. The benefit levels are at 50 percent of the salary for the
first 100 days, which is then reduced to 40 percent for the remainder of the
time.

France
–
the unemployment benefits in France are amongst the most generous in all of
Europe. The benefits is payable even on net salaries of around 6959 Euros. This
seems to favor the high earners in France where the average salary is just over
2000 Euros. A spokesman for the benefits administration said that only 1000
people out of 2.6 million claimants receive the top amount of benefits. The benefits
start coming in after 4 months of unemployment, and people under 50 can claim
these benefits for two years while people above the age can claim for 3 years.
The benefits are roughly 65 percent of the average salary.

Germany
–
under the social insurance system in Germany, unemployment premiums amount for
around 3 percent of the workers earnings, this is paid in half by the employer.
Anyone who has been paying these premiums for one year over the last 2 years is
entitled to the benefits. Those claimants with children can claim around 2/3 of
their earlier salary while those without children claim below 60 percent. These
benefits are also reduced by 30 percent if the claimant refuses to accept work,
or does not make an effort to find a job. People who work less than 15 hours
can also earn around 165 Euros, and still be entitled to benefits.

Ireland
–
to qualify in Ireland for the job seeker’s benefit, you must be below the age
of 66 and should have been unemployed for at least 3 days out of seven. The department
of social protection also needs proof that you are capable of working and have
made enough contributions to social insurance. Claimants receive around 188
Euros every week and can receive extra is they have children. The claimants can
be disqualified from their benefits if you decide to leave the employment
voluntarily or are made redundant due to misconduct. The claimant’s age must be
below 55 and those who receive redundancy of 55000 Euros will be disqualified
too.

Italy
–
the unemployment rate in Italy is around 12.9 percent, hence benefits are seen
as especially critical. To qualify for the benefits you must be insured with
the national institute for social security for at least 24 months before being
made redundant and should have made contributions for at least 52 weeks. Those
who resign voluntarily are not eligible.